14.12.04
Cornwall is leading the way in research

Cornwall is making its name as a leading place to conduct research.

Cornwall's unique geographical position and history of innovation has long made it internationally regarded as a centre of pioneering research. Objective One investment is helping to capitalise upon that reputation.

Developments such as the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC), the Knowledge Spa and broadband coverage under the actnow project are providing the infrastructure for wide ranging research and developments in health, business, media, IT and academic arenas.

Knowledge-based regeneration was a key feature of the Objective One programme's strategic planning document and as developments become rooted in the education, health and media sectors, leaders in these fields are being attracted to Conrwall. The establishment of the CUC and the Knowledge Spa will also increase the number of home-grown graduates that will be able to remain in Cornwall in high earning employment.

Carleen Kelemen, director of the Objective One Partnership said: "We have a wonderful opportunity in Cornwall to encourage the research key to economic regeneration. Now the work must begin to create high quality jobs via research and place Cornwall at the front of the information age.”

Government pilot schemes in the health sector currently underway in Cornwall include emergency health provision in West Cornwall. Under the scheme new ways of providing healthcare in a rural community are being investigated. If successful, this will be employed in other parts of the country.

Richard Bayly, Government Office South West director for European Programmes, said: "The vision of incubating high value, high growth companies requires intellectual capital to incubate. So we must foster research in our companies, in the CUC, in the PMS. This research will be the lode from which Cornwall's new industries will be mined.”

It is already acknowledged that Cornwall is a near perfect place to carry out trials, of advertisements, products and projects.

Underlining the region's strengths as a research centre is Simon Marquis, Chairman of ZenithOptimedia, an award winning global advertising and media company.

A board member of SouWest FM's bid for the new commercial radio licence he said: "Good research is central to the success of the advertising and media business in which I have been involved for 30 years. Although I work mainly in London, I live in Cornwall and can clearly see the benefits that Objective One is bringing to the region by capitalising upon its uniqueness. Cornwall is an almost perfect research sample for all sorts of organisations with a national rollout in mind. It is also a great place to do business and I am delighted to be part of the SouWest FM team bidding for Cornwall's next radio station that has also put local research at the forefront of the campaign. I am confident that the station, like Objective One will build upon Cornwall's special nature.”

The CUC meanwhile is at the heart of Cornwall's Objective One ideals. The Cornwall Research Fund has also been established with Objective One investment. The £7.7 million project is helped by both research funding and private sector investment.

Peter Castell, CUC Business Support Manager, said: "Research is one of the key elements of the CUC initiative. By investing in Cornwall's academic research base we are enhancing its ability to compete for research funding in the future. The research that is undertaken in Cornwall is also likely to be of benefit to existing businesses in the region. In addition we are actively working with businesses in Cornwall to help them develop new technologies and processes which will boost their competitiveness.”

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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